The jobs recovery stalled in July, as the the rate of unemployment remained unchanged at 9.7 per cent, while youth unemployment rose slightly during the month, up to 20.2 per cent.
According to figures from the Central Statistics Office released on Wednesday, the unemployment rate was unchanged in July, with some 208,900 people without a job, up by 300 on June, but down by 32,400 on July 2014.
At 9.7 per cent, this is the lowest rate since January 2009 but is the third consecutive month of no change in the unemployment rate.
David McNamara, economist with Davy Stockbrokers, said that the figures were “slightly disappointing” given the positive signals on hiring by firms.
“Nonetheless, consumer confidence did fall in July, perhaps impacted by concerns about the Greek crisis, and this could have influenced hiring decisions by firms,” he said, adding that he expects unemployment to continue on a downward trajectory in the coming months.
The unemployment rate for men stood at 10.8 per cent in July, unchanged from June 2015 but down from 12.8 per cent in July 2014. The rate for women was also unchanged in July, at 8.4 per cent, down from 9.4 per cent a year prior. Some 127,700 men were unemployed in July, and 81,200 women.
Youth unemployment rose to 20.2 per cent in July 2015, up from 19.9 per cent in June 2015, but down from 23.6 per cent in July 2014. Women drove the increase, with 18.3 per cent of females aged between 15-24 unemployed, up from 17.6 per cent in June 2015.
The gain in July erodes the improvement noted since April 2015, when youth unemployment stood at 20.7 per cent.
Responding to the figures the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) expressed concern.
“Youth unemployment is still high, at twice the rate it was before 2008. Moreover, the latest figures at the end of June show that almost 19,000 young people were on the live register for one year or more,” NYCI deputy director James Doorley said, as he called for the Government to restore the adult rate of €188 per week for all young people participating in education, training and work experience programmes.
